It’s early morning as I sit here in my near-empty living room, boxes stacked high against the walls.
We will be moving from Indianola to Demopolis, Ala. in just nine days. It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years this coming May since our family moved here to the Mississippi Delta.
When we first arrived, our oldest child Emma was just fifteen years old and learning to drive.
She is now a young woman living with her husband Nathan who is stationed with the United States Army at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. Yes, indeed, how time has flown!
When we came here in 2014, we came with the intention to stay. Erik has absolutely loved his job here, loves his patients, and has truly been blessed working as a doctor here in Indianola.
But situations change, circumstances directing us to rethink decisions we once thought permanent. Several factors have played into our decision to leave Indianola, a decision we have made with serious thought, prayer, and tears.
The past few months have indeed been bittersweet for us, but we are so thankful for our time here, even as we eagerly anticipate our future, back home in Alabama.
We have loved so many things about Indianola. As I have said, Erik has thoroughly loved his job as a do-everything country doc. He has enjoyed working with fantastic nurses at both the hospital and clinic, and he has the utmost respect for his fellow physicians Drs. Rose, Dowell, Donahoe, and Ray.
We have loved living in our old house on Catchings, within walking distance to most anything you could want.
Erik and I have frequently commented (as we have walked from our house to Nola on many a Friday night) how we feel like we are living in a small town set in a John Grisham novel. But more than anything, we have loved the people of Indianola. You are truly dear friends, and we appreciate so much your acceptance, kindness, and love over these past nine years.
Our children have thrived growing up in this community, and we are especially thankful for the job opportunities, employers, and coworkers that have helped them along the way- those at The Crown, Nola, Martin’s Pharmacy, NAPA, Sunflower Lumber, Planters Bank, as well as jobs tending to various neighborhood cats and dogs.
Thank you for giving these opportunities to our children, which we believe have been invaluable experiences in their growth and development.
Finally, I want to express our love and gratitude to our church family at First Presbyterian Church of Indianola.
You are truly our family, and we will miss each of you dearly. Our pastor, Duncan Hoopes, and his wife, my dear friend Debbie, are such a huge blessing to our church, and I can honestly say that I have never been part of a congregation with a pastor (and his wife) who works as tirelessly, thoroughly, creatively, and passionately for the Gospel of Christ as the shepherd of a small local congregation. Thank you, Debbie and Duncan; we love you.
We will always cherish fond memories of our time here in the Delta.
Thank you for the privilege of living and working among you. So on behalf of Erik and our children, I wish you blessings as I say farewell.
Sincerely and with love,
Rebecca Lessmann
